Transalpine olleitung in osterreich (State aid) [2006] EUECJ C-368/04 (05 October 2006)

Transalpine olleitung in osterreich (State aid) [2006] EUECJ C-368/04 (05 October 2006)

National courts must safeguard individual rights against disregard of the prohibition on putting aid into effect before Commission authorisation; Commission decisions declaring compatibility do not regularise prior unlawful measures; date of application for rebate is immaterial as the unlawful situation results from...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2006] EUECJ C-368/04
Parties
Applicant: Transalpine Ölleitung in Österreich GmbH; Respondent: Finanzlandesdirektion für Tirol; Applicant: Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen GmbH; Respondent: Finanzlandesdirektion für Steiermark; Applicant: Gerlitzen-Kanzelbahn-Touristik GmbH & Co. KG; Respondent: Finanzlandesdirektion für Kärnten
Jurisdiction
European Union
Procedural Posture
Reference for Preliminary Ruling / Judgment on Referred Questions
Outcome
Questions answered; national courts must disapply unlawful aid measures regardless of subsequent Commission compatibility decisions.
Legal Topics
Interpretation of Article 88(3) EC, State Aid Notification, Energy Tax Rebates, Retroactive Commission Decisions, National Court Obligations
European Union Law State Aid Law Tax Law Interpretation of Article 88(3) EC State Aid Notification Energy Tax Rebates Retroactive Commission Decisions National Court Obligations

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Parties

Transalpine Ölleitung in Österreich GmbH

Applicant

Finanzlandesdirektion für Tirol

Respondent

Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen GmbH

Applicant

Finanzlandesdirektion für Steiermark

Respondent

Gerlitzen-Kanzelbahn-Touristik GmbH & Co. KG

Applicant

Finanzlandesdirektion für Kärnten

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Reference for Preliminary Ruling / Judgment on Referred Questions

  1. 1 Does Article 88(3) EC require national courts to disapply a law excluding certain undertakings from energy tax rebates when the measure constitutes State aid and was not notified, even after the Commission has declared the aid compatible for the relevant period?
  2. 2 Is the date of application for rebate relevant to the prohibition on putting aid into effect under Article 88(3) EC?

Ratio Decidendi

National courts must safeguard individual rights against disregard of the prohibition on putting aid into effect before Commission authorisation; Commission decisions declaring compatibility do not regularise prior unlawful measures; date of application for rebate is immaterial as the unlawful situation results from lack of notification.

Court Disposition

Questions answered; national courts must disapply unlawful aid measures regardless of subsequent Commission compatibility decisions.

Orders

  • National courts must safeguard rights of individuals against disregard of Article 88(3) EC prohibition.
  • Commission decisions do not regularise ex post facto measures taken in breach of Article 88(3) EC.